

Mirca Madianou, "Technocolonialism: When Technology for Good is Harmful" (Polity, 2024)
Feb 1, 2025
Mirca Madianou, a Professor at Goldsmiths, University of London, discusses her groundbreaking concept of technocolonialism. She explores how digital technologies, particularly AI and biometrics, exacerbate power imbalances in humanitarian settings, often exploiting marginalized communities. The conversation unveils the historical ties between technology and colonialism, critiques the use of tech solutions in humanitarian aid, and advocates for greater cultural sensitivity in technology applications. Madianou emphasizes the need for community-driven approaches in addressing digital inequities.
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Intro
00:00 • 2min
Tech and Humanitarianism: A Colonial Legacy
01:30 • 13min
Exploring the Fusion of Technology and Humanitarian Efforts
14:00 • 3min
Exploring Technological Solutionism and Its Implications
17:07 • 3min
Biometrics and Feedback in Humanitarian Aid
20:13 • 15min
Technocolonialism and the Limitations of Mental Health Chatbots
34:54 • 4min
Techno-Colonialism and Humanitarian Resistance
39:00 • 21min